New systems from Microsoft and Sony are on the horizon, and because of that, games for the current systems are starting to thin out.

There were still plenty of great games to play this year, though, and here are the Rocky Mountain Gamer's picks for the best of the year:

Action/Adventure: "Darksiders II"

I salute whoever said, "Let's take 'God of War' and 'The Legend of Zelda' and mash 'em together! Oh, and make Death the hero." He is a genius. This game surpassed the original in every way and is still a title I turn to when I need some pure, unbridled fun.

Before "New Super Mario Bros. U," I was actually getting tired of the side-scrolling "Mario" games. But this game's masterfully designed levels, new power-ups and seamless overworld made me forget my reservations. Plus, the brilliant Wii U multiplayer gameplay, where one player can add or remove blocks for the other is revelatory.

It's a shame the studio behind "Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning" was so poorly managed and went broke shortly after the game's release. This brilliant role-playing game (RPG) should have marked the beginning of a major franchise. Instead, we have a brilliant reminder of what could have been.

"Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning"
(Courtesy photo)

Honorable mention: "Diablo III," "Dragon's Dogma," "Mass Effect 3."

Fighting: "Tekken Tag Tournament 2"

It was a great year for fighting games, and "Tekken Tag Tournament 2" battled its way to the top of the heap. With silky smooth gameplay, an unbelievably massive roster of characters and even some Super Mario-centric accessories in the Wii U version, the game never takes itself too seriously but always delivers on the fun.

Honorable mention: "Street Fighter X Tekken," "DOA 5."

Sports: "Madden NFL 13"

"Madden NFL 13"
(Courtesy photo)

I've been playing "Madden NFL" for more than 20 years, and I have never been more impressed than I was with this year's offering. The difference is the new physics engine that makes the game much more realistic. For some reason this was left out of the Wii U version, so I can't include that in my award, but if you have an Xbox 360 or PS3, this is the sports game to play.

Honorable mention: "NBA 2K13," "Tiger Woods PGA Tour 13."

Racing: "Forza Horizon"

This is the second year in a row a "Forza" game took the racing award, but "Forza Horizon" finishes first in the franchise. The Colorado open-world setting is vibrant and alive, while keeping the awesome car-handling that makes the series so beloved. The year was packed with excellent racers, but this one is the best.

Who would have thought a role-playing game that revolves around collecting stickers and using them for your attacks would have worked? Somehow the Nintendo magic remains intact, and "Paper Mario Sticker Star" is a fine addition to the series.

Back when this game was called "True Crime: Hong Kong," it looked as if it might reinvigorate the franchise. Then, for some wholly inexplicable reason, Activision canceled it. Luckily, Square Enix picked it up and gave gamers a gift, with one of the finest open-world games that doesn't have "Grand Theft" in the title.

Honorable mention: "Far Cry 3."

Puzzle: "Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask"

The "Professor Layton" games will make your brain hurt, but in the process you will learn to think about things from many points of view. "Miracle Mask" is no exception, but the addition of 3D graphics gives the game a . . . no, I'm not going to say it. It's a great game. Play it.

Honorable mention: "Scribblenauts Unlimited."

Downloadable: "The Walking Dead"

An independent comic book about the zombie apocalypse shouldn't make for a successful television show. Even less likely is this fantastic game based on both sources. Released in five serialized episodes, the game provides the same haunting social commentary as the other sources, and the result is truly something special.

Honorable mention: "Journey," "Fez," "Crashmo."

Online RPG: "Guild Wars II"

"Guild Wars II" has not received the attention it deserves. This MMORPG (it stands for massively multiplayer online role-playing game, of course!) breaks all of the rules with its refined combat, complex characters and strange fantasy-based world. Best of all, there is no subscription fee. Buy the game and play forever if you'd like, with none of the restrictions or content limitations of some other online games. RPG fans really must give this one a chance.

Honorable mention: "The Secret World."

Game of the Year: "Dishonored"

Once upon a time, video games strived to be open, to offer players a variety of choices to accomplish whatever tasks were at hand. These days, the tendency to guide players along and give them less freedom pervades, all in the name of "presenting a richer story." Not so with "Dishonored." In a game so open it's possible to play through the whole thing without killing another character, players can choose their own paths. With a brilliant story, beautiful setting, top-notch graphics and voice acting -- not to mention the aforementioned element of choice -- no other game in 2012 broke the rules to such startling effect as "Dishonored." May it be the beginning of a glorious franchise.

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